WO2008001832A1

WO2008001832A1 - Solenoid valve and air pressure type massage device

Info

Publication number: WO2008001832A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/062964
Authority: WO
Inventors: Haruki Nakao; Hiroki Kawashima
Original assignee: Nitto Kohki Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-06-29
Filing date: 2007-06-28
Publication date: 2008-01-03
Also published as: GB2452450B; US20090312674A1; JP2008032204A; GB0822897D0; JP5006619B2; GB2452450A

Abstract

A solenoid valve with a small-size light-weight check valve. In the solenoid valve, a voltage is applied to a solenoid (14) to move a plunger (16) toward an end wall (22) of a housing of the solenoid valve. This presses an annular valve seat engagement section (64) of a valve body (48), which is attached to the plunger, against a valve seat around a fluid exit (26) formed in the end wall (22). As a result, the fluid exit (26) is closed with the annular valve seat engagement section deformed, and at the same time, a valve pressing member (46) attached to the plunger is separated from a valve body (52) provided at a fluid entrance (24) in an end wall (20) in the housing. This causes the valve body (52), formed at the fluid opening (24) of the housing, to function as a check valve to allow inflow of pressurized air from a pump. When the voltage is not applied to the solenoid (14), the plunger (16) is urged toward the fluid entrance by a compression spring (60). This makes the valve pressing member (46) press the first valve body (52) against the valve seat around the fluid entrance (24), closing the entrance (24). Also, because the second valve body (48) is separated from the fluid exit (26), the fluid exit (26) is opened and the pressurized air is released to the atmospheric air.

Description

Solenoid valve and pneumatic massage device

Technical field

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic valve driven by a solenoid and a pneumatic massage device using the electromagnetic valve. Background art

[0002] In a pneumatic massage device that has a plurality of air chambers and acts on the body by sequentially expanding and contracting the air chambers, it generally corresponds to the air chambers for air supply / exhaust control to the air chambers. A number of solenoid valves are used. (See JP 2000-189477)

FIG. 1 shows an example of such a solenoid valve.

The electromagnetic valve 100 includes a cylindrical housing 112, a solenoid coil 114 provided in the housing, and a movable valve 116 that is displaced in the axial direction of the housing by the operation of the solenoid. By repeatedly applying a voltage to the solenoid and stopping it, the movable valve 116 reciprocates, and acts to alternately close the fluid inlet 124 and the fluid outlet 126 of the housing 112. A check valve 102 is attached to the fluid inlet 124 side of the housing 112, and the check valve 102 has a duckbill type check valve 118, which allows inflow from the fluid source connection port 130, but outflow. It acts to block out.

[0005] When this is used in a pneumatic massage device, the electromagnetic valve is provided corresponding to a plurality of air chambers of the massage device, the fluid source connection port 130 is connected to a hose from the pump, and the fluid inlet / outlet 128 is connected. Connect the air chamber of the pneumatic massage device to the fluid outlet 126 and open it to the atmosphere. When operating this massage device, first, a voltage is applied to the solenoid of the solenoid valve corresponding to the first air chamber of the massage device, the fluid inlet 124 is opened, and the fluid outlet 126 is closed. As a result, pressurized air having a pumping force is supplied to the first air chamber through the solenoid valve, and the first air chamber expands. When the pressure in the first air chamber reaches a predetermined value, the solenoid valve in the second air chamber is actuated, and air supply to the second air chamber is started, whereby the pressure in the hose from the pump is started. Go down. This Therefore, the check valve 118 in the solenoid valve corresponding to the first air chamber closes the fluid source connection port 130 and prevents the pressurized air from flowing backward from the first air chamber to the hose side. When the voltage application to the solenoid 114 of the solenoid valve corresponding to the first air chamber is stopped at a predetermined timing, the fluid outlet 126 is opened and the fluid inlet 124 is closed, and the first air is closed. The pressurized air in the room is released to the atmosphere through the fluid outlet 126. Similarly, by sequentially operating the second, third and subsequent solenoid valves, each air chamber sequentially expands and contracts, and a pine surge action is performed.

[0006] FIG. 2 shows a solenoid valve 200 when a check valve 202 with an umbrella type valve 218 is installed instead of the check valve 102 with a duckbill valve 118 in FIG. / This umbrella type valve is likely to generate resonance noise when fluid flows in.

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] As described above, in a pneumatic massage device attached to a human body, there is a tendency to increase the number of air chambers in order to obtain a better pine surge effect. Therefore, particularly in an electromagnetic valve used in such a device. Is required to be smaller and lighter.

Means for solving the problem

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such points,

A housing (12) having a fluid inlet (denoted by reference numeral 24 in the description of the embodiment below), a fluid outlet (26), and a fluid outlet (28);

A solenoid (14) provided in the housing;

A plunger (16) displaced within the housing between a first position and a second position by actuation of the solenoid;

A first valve body (52) mounted in the housing and acting as a check valve that allows fluid to flow into the housing (12) through the fluid inlet (24) and prevents it from flowing out; ,

A valve restraining member (46) connected to the plunger (16), wherein when the plunger is in the second position, the first valve body (52) is moved around the fluid inlet (24). Press against the valve seat to close the fluid inlet and when the plunger is in the first position (position in FIG. 3) Includes a valve presser member (46) adapted to separate the first valve body force,

An electromagnetic valve is provided.

In this solenoid valve, the plunger is in the first position, and the pressure outside the fluid inlet (24) (specifically, the pressure on the fluid source side to which the fluid inlet is connected) is When the pressure is higher than the pressure inside the fluid inlet (pressure in the housing), the valve body (52) opens to allow fluid to flow in through the fluid inlet (24), and vice versa. Acts not to be done. On the other hand, when the plunger is in the second position, the valve body (52) is pressed against the valve seat around the fluid inlet (24) by the valve pressing member (46), and the inside and outside of the fluid inlet (24) are It prevents fluid from flowing in and out through the fluid inlet (24) regardless of pressure. In other words, in this solenoid valve, the force of one valve body (52) is combined with the check valve 102 and the movable valve (116) for opening and closing the fluid inlet in the above-described conventional solenoid valve. This makes it possible to reduce the size and weight.

[0010] Specifically,

The first valve body (52) is formed of a flexible flat plate-shaped member and is set to contact the valve seat;

When the plunger is in the second position, the valve presser member (46) engages with the first valve body (52) on the inner side in the radial direction from the valve seat and enters the fluid inlet (24). The first valve body can be pressed against the valve seat by pressing toward the valve seat.

[0011] Further, the valve seat is circular,

The plunger (16) force is adapted to be displaced along an extension of the central axis of the fluid inlet (24);

The valve pressing member (46) has a valve pressing surface (46-2) convex toward the first valve body (52) around the central axis, and the first valve is supported by the valve pressing surface. The body can be pressed.

More specifically, the valve pressing surface can be spherical.

In this way, when the valve pressing member (46) presses the first valve body (52), the first valve body swells in a convex shape toward the fluid inlet (24), and the fluid The valve seat around the inlet is securely engaged and sealed in its entire circumferential direction. This is because when the valve pressing member has an annular pressing portion corresponding to the valve seat, the valve body is pressed when the first valve body is pressed against the valve seat. When the presser member is tilted, it is difficult to reliably press the entire circumferential direction of the valve seat by the pressing part, whereas the above-described valve presser member solves such a problem. be able to.

[0014] The first valve body (52) is attached to one end portion of the inner wall surface of the housing, pivots about the one end portion, contacts and separates from the valve seat, and opens the fluid inlet. It can be scraped to have a check valve part that opens and closes.

[0015] More specifically,

The housing has a cylindrical wall (18), and first and second end walls (20, 22) that close both ends of the cylindrical wall,

The fluid inlet (24) is formed to penetrate the first end wall;

The first valve body (52) is formed of a flexible plate-like member, and is hermetically engaged and fixed between the first end wall (20) and the cylindrical wall (18). Peripheral part (52-2), central part (52-1) capable of moving toward and away from the valve seat, and connecting part (52-3) connecting the central part and the peripheral part And the central portion (52-1) pivots around the connecting portion and acts as the check valve portion.

[0016] Furthermore, a banquet member (60) for urging the plunger (16) in a direction to displace the first position force to the second position is further provided,

The fluid outlet (26) is formed to penetrate the second end wall (22),

The fluid inlet / outlet (28) is formed to penetrate the cylindrical wall (18),

The plunger (16) is displaced from the second position to the first position by being attracted by the solenoid (14).

The plunger (16) may have a second valve body (48) that engages a valve seat around the fluid outlet and closes the fluid outlet when it is in the first position. it can.

[0017] Specifically,

The second valve body (48) has a flexible valve seat engaging portion (64) that has a conical shape that spreads radially outward toward the fluid outlet (26). When the position is in one position, the flexible valve seat engaging portion approaches the predetermined position with respect to the valve seat while being elastically deformed so as to expand radially by engaging with the valve seat around the fluid outlet. To do Can do.

In this case, when the fluid outlet is closed, the valve seat engaging portion of the second valve body engages with the valve seat around the fluid outlet while being elastically deformed with a small pressing force. Since the outlet can be securely closed, the solenoid can be made smaller and lighter. In addition, since the compression allowance of the valve seat engaging portion to the valve seat can be increased, the accumulation of manufacturing errors can be absorbed and the fluid outlet can be reliably opened and closed.

[0019] The present invention also provides

A massaging device which is adapted to be worn on the body and has a plurality of air chambers (340), which supplies and discharges pressurized air to and from the air chambers to expand and contract the air chambers. Ingredients (312),

A pump (342) prepared separately from the massage device (312) and for supplying pressurized air to the air chamber;

A massage device comprising:

A solenoid valve (10) as described above, which is provided corresponding to each air chamber (340), and is set to control the supply and discharge of the pressurized air to the corresponding air chamber. The fluid inlet (24) of the solenoid valve is connected to the air supply hose (325) from the pump, the fluid outlet (26) is connected to the atmosphere, and the fluid inlet / outlet (28) is connected to the corresponding air chamber. Provide a pneumatic massage device. Specifically, the solenoid valve is attached to the massage tool.

[0020] Since the solenoid valve used in this pneumatic massage device is smaller and lighter than the conventional one as described above, the pneumatic massage device has the number of air chambers. Even if a large number of solenoid valves are used, the overall weight can be reduced and it is easy to use.

The invention's effect

[0021] In the electromagnetic valve of the present invention, one valve element serves as both the check valve and the valve element that opens and closes the fluid inlet in the above-described conventional solenoid valve. Miniaturization of valve · Lightweight can be achieved. In addition, the pneumatic massage device according to the present invention using such a solenoid valve is lightweight and used in the recent trend of providing more air chambers. V, selfish, can be something.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of Conventional Example 1 of a solenoid valve to which a check valve is attached.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of Conventional Example 2 of a solenoid valve to which a check valve is attached.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the solenoid valve of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a solenoid valve provided with a valve pressing member according to another embodiment, showing a state in which the valve pressing member is separated from the first valve body force.

6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, showing a state in which the valve pressing member is pressing the first valve body.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of a pneumatic massager according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a solenoid valve according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross section of the electromagnetic valve according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the electromagnetic valve 10 includes a cylindrical housing 12, a solenoid 14 provided in the housing, and a brace that is displaced in the axial direction of the housing when a voltage is applied to the solenoid 14. Nanger 16.

The sawing 12 has a cylindrical wall 18, a first end wall 20, and a second end wall 22. A fluid inlet 24 is provided in the first end wall 20, a fluid outlet 26 is provided in the second end wall, and a fluid inlet / outlet 28 is provided in the cylindrical wall 18 so as to pass therethrough.

The plunger 16 has a rod 42 extending through the through-hole of the solenoid and a disc-shaped armature that is fixed to the rod 42 on the fluid inlet 24 side of the solenoid 14 and has magnetic force such as iron. 44. A valve pressing member 46 is attached to the left end of the rod 42, and a second valve body 48 is attached to the right end of the rod 42. A panel receiving portion 50 is attached to the rod 42 adjacent to the second valve body 48, and a compression panel 60 is provided between the spring receiving portion 50 and the second end wall to allow the plunger 16 to be fluidized. It is energized to the entrance side.

[0027] The first valve body 52 is also made of a flexible plate member which is also an elastomer material such as rubber, and is sandwiched between the cylindrical wall 18 and the first end wall 20 to form a cylinder. Set so that it touches the inner wall of the wall 18 It has been determined. As shown in FIG. 4, the first valve body is provided with a C-shaped hole 52-4, and is composed of a central portion 52-1, a peripheral portion 52-2, and a connecting portion 52-3. ing. The central portion 52-1 is generally circular in size that can also cover the fluid inlet 24 with internal forces, and acts to close the fluid inlet when engaged with the surrounding valve seat portion inside the fluid inlet. The The peripheral portion 52-2 is hermetically engaged with a groove formed in the joint between the first end wall 20 and the cylindrical wall 18, thereby fixing the entire first valve body 52 to the housing and It also acts as a seal member that prevents fluid leakage from the gap between the end wall 20 and the cylindrical wall 18.

[0028] The valve pressing member 46 is formed of a resin or the like, and has an annular protrusion 66 for pressing the first valve body 52 against the valve seat around the fluid inlet. On the other hand, the second valve body 48 has a valve seat engaging portion 64 provided on a surface facing the second end wall 22, and the valve seat engaging portion 64 is radially outward toward the second end wall 22. It has a conical shape that spreads out.

In the housing 12, an annular solenoid support wall 40 is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 18, and the solenoid 14 is coaxially fixed to the housing 12. The solenoid support wall 40 is provided with a vent 41 (see FIG. 8).

Next, the operation of the above-described electromagnetic valve 10 will be described.

[0031] When a voltage is applied to the solenoid 14, the armature 44 is attracted to the end face of the solenoid 14 by the magnetic force generated by the solenoid 14, and the plunger 16 is moved toward the second end wall 22, as shown in FIG. State shown. In this state, the annular valve seat engaging portion 64 of the second valve body 48 is pressed while being elastically deformed by the valve seat around the fluid outlet 26 to close the fluid outlet 26, and the valve pressing member 46 is moved to the first valve. It is assumed that it is separated from the body 52.

In this case, the opening and closing of the fluid inlet 24 is left to the check valve action of the first valve body 52. In other words, when the pressure outside the fluid inlet is higher than the inside pressure, the differential pressure causes the central portion 52-1 of the first valve body 52 to be pushed from the outside of the fluid inlet to open the fluid inlet and contact it. The connection 52-3 is elastically curved. When the pressure outside the fluid inlet is lower than the pressure inside, the central portion 52-1 is pressed against the valve seat around the fluid inlet 24, causing the fluid inlet 24 to close. That is, the central portion 52-1 of the first valve body 52 acts as a check valve for the fluid inlet.

[0033] On the other hand, when no voltage is applied to the solenoid 14, the plunger 16 has a compression bar. And the valve holding member 46 presses the first valve body 52 against the valve seat of the fluid inlet 24 and closes the fluid inlet 24. At the fluid outlet 26, the second valve body 48 is also released because the valve seat force of the fluid outlet 26 is also released.

5 and 6 show another embodiment of the valve pressing member 46 in the electromagnetic valve.

That is, in the valve pressing member 46, the front surface 46-1 facing the first valve body 52 is provided with a convex curved surface facing the first valve body. Specifically, the end opening of the fluid inlet 24 passing through the first end wall 20 and opening to the inner surface of the first end wall 20 is circular, and the end on the inner surface of the first end wall 20 is formed. The valve seat around the opening is circular, and the valve pressing member 46 moves to the left and right (as viewed in the figure) along the center axis of the fluid inlet 24. The front surface is provided with a valve pressing portion 46-2 that has a spherical surface convex toward the first valve body around the central axis, and an annular portion 43-3 around the valve pressing portion. . In this way, when the plunger is driven toward the first end wall 20 and the valve pressing member 46 presses the first valve body 52 as shown in FIG. The center of the tip of the pressing portion 46-2 first contacts the center of the central portion 52-1 of the first valve body 52, which is formed into a flat plate shape. The central portion 52-1 is pressed against the valve seat (in particular, the circular periphery of the end opening of the fluid inlet 24 forming the inner edge of the valve seat) while being curved toward the outside of the inlet 24. The spherical valve pressing portion 46-2 extends beyond the diameter of the end opening of the fluid inlet 24. Therefore, the central portion 521 of the first valve body is the spherical surface of the valve pressing portion. It is not bent more than the curve.

[0036] In the valve pressing member 46 according to this embodiment, the inner side from the peripheral edge of the end opening of the fluid inlet 24 in the central portion 52-1 of the first valve body is pressed toward the outer side of the fluid inlet 24, Since the peripheral portion of the central portion is pressed against the valve seat, the valve pressing member is slightly inclined, but the central portion can be pressed against the entire circumferential direction of the valve seat, Secure sealing is possible.

FIG. 7 shows a pneumatic massager 300 using the electromagnetic valve as described above.

[0038] That is, the pneumatic massager 300 includes a pair of cylindrical massage devices 312 to be worn around the left and right legs of the user, and a floor near the wearer of the massage device. And a massager body 314 with a pump 342 placed thereon. A hose 325 for supplying pressurized air with a pump 342 is extended in the length direction of the massage device 312 via a tank 341 and is placed in an air chamber 340 sequentially arranged along the length direction of the massage device 312. It is connected to the corresponding solenoid valve 10. The massager body includes a controller 350 and controls the solenoid valve via a control signal line 326.

[0039] In this case, the solenoid valve 10 is set such that the fluid inlet 24 thereof is communicated with the hose 325, the fluid inlet / outlet 28 is communicated with the air chamber 340 of the massager, and the fluid outlet 26 is communicated with the atmosphere. The

[0040] When the massager 300 is operated, the air chambers sequentially arranged along the length direction of the massage tool 312 are sequentially expanded and contracted in a predetermined order. Expansion and contraction of each air chamber is performed as follows. First, a voltage is applied to the solenoid 14 to move the plunger 16 toward the second end wall, thereby closing the fluid outlet 26 and separating the valve pressing member 46 from the first valve body. As a result, the first valve body 52 is opened by the pressurized air of the pump force, and the pressurized air flows into the air chamber and the air chamber expands. When the pressure in the air chamber reaches a predetermined value, the plunger is held in the same position, but the first valve body 52 acts as a check valve, and the pressurized air flows backward from the solenoid valve side to the hose side. To prevent it. Next, when the voltage application to the solenoid 14 is stopped at a predetermined time point, the panel member 60 moves the plunger 16 to the fluid inlet side, and the valve holding member 46 moves the first valve body 52 around the fluid inlet 24. Pressing against the valve seat closes the fluid inlet and opens the fluid outlet 26, so that the pressurized air in the pressurized air chamber passes through the housing 12 and is released from the fluid outlet 26 to the atmosphere to the air. The chamber contracts. At this time, the solenoid 14 is forcibly cooled by the pressurized air flowing in the housing. Thus, by repeating the application of the voltage to the solenoid 14 and the stop thereof, the expansion and contraction of the air chamber can be repeated, and it can act on the body as a massager.

[0041] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a small and lightweight electromagnetic valve having a check valve function so as to provide force. Therefore, if this solenoid valve is used for air supply / exhaust control to a pneumatic massager worn on the body, the massager is lighter and more convenient. Can be.

[0042] Further, since the valve seat engaging portion 64 of the second valve body has a conical shape that expands in the radial direction toward the second end wall, the compression allowance of the valve seat engaging portion 64 is large. In addition, the fluid outlet 26, whose change in repulsive force is small with respect to the magnitude of compression, can be properly closed even if there are accumulated manufacturing errors of the solenoid valve.

[0043] The electromagnetic valve of the present invention is not limited to a pneumatic massage device, but can be applied to a device to be used in combination of a check valve and an electromagnetic valve.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid inlet and outlet;

A solenoid provided in the housing;

A plunger that is displaced between a first position and a second position by actuation of the solenoid within the housing;

A first valve body mounted in the housing and acting as a check valve that allows fluid to flow into the housing through the fluid inlet and prevents it from flowing out;

A valve pressing member connected to the plunger, and when the plunger is in the second position, the first valve body is pressed against a valve seat around the fluid inlet to close the fluid inlet. And a valve pressing member adapted to release the first valve body force when the plunger is in the first position;

A solenoid valve.

[2] The first valve body is formed of a flexible flat plate-like member and is set to contact the valve seat,

When the plunger is in the second position, the valve pressing member engages with the first valve body and presses it toward the fluid inlet radially inward of the valve seat. 2. The solenoid valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve body is pressed against the valve seat.

[3] The valve seat is circular,

The plunger force is displaced along an extension line of the central axis of the fluid inlet, and the valve pressing member has a valve pressing surface that is convex toward the first valve body about the central axis. The electromagnetic valve according to claim 2, wherein the first valve body is pressed by the valve pressing surface.

[4] The solenoid valve according to [3], wherein the valve pressing surface is spherical.

[5] The first valve body has one end portion attached to the inner wall surface of the housing, and pivots the one end portion to the center so as to contact and separate from the valve seat to open and close the fluid inlet. 5. The electromagnetic valve according to claim 1, further comprising a valve portion.

[6] The housing has a cylindrical wall, and first and second end walls that close both ends of the cylindrical wall, The fluid inlet is formed to penetrate the first end wall;

The first valve body is formed of a flexible plate-like member, and is surrounded by a peripheral portion that is sealed and fixed between the first end wall and the cylindrical wall, and the valve seat. A central part that is movable toward and away from the central part, and a connecting part that connects the central part and the peripheral part, the central part pivoting about the connecting part and the check valve part To behave as

The solenoid valve according to claim 5, wherein V is V.

[7] A panel member for urging the plunger in a direction to displace the plunger to the first position force to the second position is further provided

The fluid outlet is formed through the second end wall;

The fluid inlet / outlet is formed so as to penetrate the cylindrical wall;

The plunger is moved from the second position to the first position by being attracted by the solenoid.

7. The plunger of claim 6, wherein the plunger has a second valve body that engages a valve seat around the fluid outlet and closes the fluid outlet when it is in the first position. solenoid valve.

[8] The second valve body has a flexible valve seat engaging portion having a conical shape that spreads radially outward toward the fluid outlet, and when the plunger is in the first position, The flexible valve seat engaging portion is engaged with a valve seat around the fluid outlet so as to be elastically deformed so as to expand in a radial direction and to approach a predetermined position with respect to the valve seat. The solenoid valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[9] A massage tool that is attached to the body, has a plurality of air chambers, supplies and discharges pressurized air to and from the air chambers, and expands and contracts the air chambers. Prepared separately from the massage device, and a pump for supplying pressurized air to the air chamber;

A massage device comprising:

The solenoid valve according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the solenoid valve is provided corresponding to each air chamber, and each is configured to control supply and discharge of the compressed air to and from the corresponding air chamber. The fluid inlet of each solenoid valve communicates with an air supply hose from the pump V. A pneumatic massage apparatus in which the fluid outlet is in communication with the atmosphere, and the fluid inlet / outlet is in communication with a corresponding air chamber.

The pneumatic massage apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the electromagnetic valve is attached to the massage device.